SATO Mid-Season Awards: Best Defense

Out of all the Serie A squads I bet Bari wasn’t the one on the tip of your tongue when you were trying to come up with a name for league’s Best Defense, but I’m afraid it’s true. The newboys are tied for the lead in goals given up with 17 and when they play at home nobody can match Bari’s defense. I know it seems silly with all the legendary venues in Italy to play, but so far this year Bari has been the best defensive club at home. In fact in ten matches Bari has only allowed four goals total. That is less then half a goal per game on average in front of the home crowd!

2) Fiorentina

Fiorentina, tied with Bari in total goals, is a regular fixture at the top of defensive statistics in Serie A and it never hurts when you have an elite, first class keeper to aid you between the posts. Sebastien Frey of France is exactly that and so far this season the outstanding keeper has locked down seven clean sheets in seventeen matches. Not too shabby at all. Especially since Fiorentina has struggled finding the back of the net this year. If the usual top six club wants to reside there once again then it will heavily rely on the play of Frey in the net.

3) Inter

With many big names and star players it should be no surprise that Inter is among the best defenses in the league. Julio Cesar in goal is considered by many not only the best Serie A keeper, but the best keeper in all of the world. It’s a tough honor to backup, but the Inter man is fit for the job.